PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Ryan Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mirko Filipovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nelson comes to the ring accompanied by We like to party by Venga Boys. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nelson
vs
Filipovic

190 cm
25
225 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

189 cm
27
239 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Excellent MT
Granite chin

Excellent MT
Determined

No Limits

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryan Nelson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mirko Filipovic!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nelson has Filipovic up against the ropes in a clinch.
Nelson tries a knee to the head but Filipovic blocks it.
Nelson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nelson tries to circle away but Filipovic has him pinned against the ropes.
Nelson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Filipovic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Filipovic breaks from the clinch.

Nelson pushes Filipovic up against the ropes in a clinch.
Nelson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Filipovic blocks it with crossed arms.

Filipovic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nelson connects with a high kick.

It looks like Mirko Filipovic has been cut.
Nelson moves out of range as Filipovic throws a body kick.

Nelson instigates a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nelson scores a nice knee to the body.
Nelson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Nelson fails to land.
Nelson landing knees to the head.
Nelson tries to break free but Filipovic pushes him back against the ropes.
Filipovic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Nelson lands a head kick that bluckles Filipovic and drops him to the canvas. He's still conscious but it looks like it's going to take him the full 10 seconds to get back his senses! He's up on 9 and seems to be just about OK to continue.... the referee agrees and we're back to the action with Nelson no doubt looking to push for a finish!

Filipovic is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Nelson pushes Filipovic up against the ropes in a clinch.
Filipovic is still on wobbly legs! Can Nelson finish him?
Nelson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Filipovic seems to have recovered his senses.
Nelson tries to throw a body punch but Filipovic avoids it by throwing Nelson back against the ropes.
Filipovic blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nelson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Filipovic blocks it with crossed arms.
Nelson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Filipovic digs a right hand underneath Nelson's ribcage. Nelson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Filipovic avoids the elbow strike from Nelson, against the ropes.
Nelson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nelson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A nice left hand lands by Filipovic.
Nelson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Filipovic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Filipovic breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nelson clinches up against the ropes.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nelson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Filipovic rushes Nelson and presses him up against the ropes.
Nelson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Filipovic is defending well for now.
Nelson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nelson misses with a knee to the head.
Filipovic lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nelson backwards.

Filipovic manages to break the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Filipovic misses with a wild combination.

Nelson moves into the clinch successfully.
Nelson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Nelson should take that round, based on the knockdown.
The cut man is working on Mirko Filipovic's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Filipovic scores with a one two! Nelson had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Ryan Nelson has been cut.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nelson working hard to break the clinch.
Nelson looking to slow down the pace here.
Nelson tries to break free but Filipovic pushes him back against the ropes.
Nelson tries to land a knee to the head but Filipovic blocks with his arms.
Ryan Nelson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nelson looking to throw knees to the head but Filipovic is blocking nicely.
Nelson is trying to push Filipovic away but Filipovic has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Nelson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A short right from Filipovic on the inside.

Filipovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Filipovic misses with a few strikes there.
Filipovic swinging wildly here.
Mirko Filipovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Filipovic tries to keep at a distance but Nelson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nelson looking to stall.
A nice right hand lands inside from Filipovic.
Nelson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Filipovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Nelson moves into the clinch.
Nelson looking to stall.
Filipovic keeps control of Nelson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nelson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Filipovic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nelson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nelson tries to land knees in the clinch but Filipovic avoids the damage to the body.
Nelson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nelson swings wildly with an uppercut but Filipovic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nelson tries a knee to the head but Filipovic blocks it.
Nelson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Filipovic blocks it with crossed arms.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Filipovic gets tackled into the ropes by Nelson. Nelson maintains the clinch.
Nelson looking to throw knees to the head but Filipovic is blocking nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Filipovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nelson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Filipovic jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Filipovic scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Nelson gets a clinch.

Filipovic breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mirko Filipovic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Nelson darts in and clinches Filipovic up against the ropes.
Nelson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nelson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nelson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nelson blocks an elbow strike.
Nelson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Filipovic blocks it with crossed arms.
Nelson working aggressively here.
Nelson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Filipovic blocks it with crossed arms.
Nelson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Filipovic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Filipovic breaks the clinch.
Nelson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Filipovic.
Nelson lands with a kick to the temple. Filipovic shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Filipovic pushes Nelson up against the ropes in a clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stalling in the clinch from Filipovic.
Nelson is looking to break free of the clinch but Filipovic has double underhooks.
Filipovic scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Filipovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Filipovic tries to bum rush Nelson with a series of wild strikes but Nelson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Filipovic has closed the distance and engaged Nelson in a clinch.

Filipovic breaks the clinch.
Filipovic lands a head kick. Nelson smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Nelson clinches.
Nelson throws a knee to the head but misses.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Filipovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Filipovic's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Filipovic duly obliges.

Ryan Nelson's cut is getting worse.

Nelson has managed to clinch.

Filipovic breaks the clinch.

Filipovic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nelson, pushing him back against the ropes.
Nelson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nelson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nelson tries to land a knee to the head but Filipovic blocks with his arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Filipovic manages to break the clinch.
Nelson throws a head kick that misses.
Nelson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Filipovic can pounce on him.
Mirko Filipovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Filipovic has Nelson up against the ropes in a clinch.
Nelson tries to land knees in the clinch but Filipovic avoids the damage to the body.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Filipovic tries to keep at a distance but Nelson has taken the fight into the clinch.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Nelson has closed the distance and engaged Filipovic in a clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Filipovic blocking some punches.
Nelson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nelson tries a knee to the head but Filipovic blocks it.
Filipovic avoiding damage as Nelson throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirko Filipovic really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Filipovic tries to keep at a distance but Nelson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nelson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Filipovic's face.
Nelson looking to throw knees to the head but Filipovic is blocking nicely.
Nelson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Nelson tries a knee to the head but Filipovic blocks it.
Nelson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Nelson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Nelson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Filipovic.

Filipovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Filipovic connects with an inside leg kick.
Nelson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Filipovic rushes Nelson and presses him up against the ropes.

Filipovic manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filipovic throws a right hand that Nelson ducks under and follows up with a left that Nelson also avoids with ease.

Filipovic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nelson, pushing him back against the ropes.
Filipovic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Filipovic misses with an elbow over the top.
Filipovic misses with a knee strike.
Nelson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Filipovic has him pressed against the ropes.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Filipovic moves into the clinch.
Nelson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Filipovic stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Filipovic breaks from the clinch.

Nelson rushes Filipovic and presses him up against the ropes.
Filipovic scores with a nice hook to the head.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nelson instigates a clinch.
Nelson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Filipovic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Filipovic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Filipovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Nelson darts in and clinches Filipovic up against the ropes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Filipovic avoiding damage as Nelson throws knees to the body.

Filipovic manages to break the clinch.

Filipovic gets tackled into the ropes by Nelson. Nelson maintains the clinch.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Nelson drives through and clinches with Filipovic against the ropes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Filipovic clinches with his opponent.
Nelson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Filipovic misses with a knee strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Mirko Filipovic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Filipovic blocks a head kick by Nelson.

Filipovic tries to keep at a distance but Nelson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nelson looking to stall.
A right handed body shot lands from Filipovic.
Nelson misses with a knee strike.
Nelson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nelson scores with a shoulder strike.
Filipovic stalling.
Filipovic lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Filipovic managing to block the knees to the body from Nelson.

Filipovic breaks the clinch.

Filipovic moves into the clinch successfully.

Filipovic manages to break the clinch.
Filipovic lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nelson moves into the clinch.
Filipovic keeps control of Nelson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nelson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nelson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Filipovic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Filipovic.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Filipovic clinches with his opponent.
Filipovic dodges an elbow strike from Nelson.
Nelson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mirko Filipovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nelson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Filipovic is looking to slow Nelson down with leg kicks.
Filipovic throws a nice looking combination but Nelson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Nelson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filipovic lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Filipovic lands a nice uppercut.

Ryan Nelson's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Nelson swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Filipovic closes the distance and pushes Nelson back into the ropes.
Filipovic lands an uppercut.

Jeez, Ryan Nelson's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

Nelson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Filipovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Filipovic fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nelson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Filipovic lands a nice looking body kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Filipovic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nelson, pushing him back against the ropes.

Filipovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ryan Nelson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Nelson gets a clinch.
Nelson misses with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mirko Filipovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Filipovic has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 47:48
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 46:48
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 46:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mirko Filipovic!
Mirko Filipovic gave a mention to London eXchange - Laundry / Recovery in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).